Ford To Add Rear View Cameras To Almost All Models

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) said last week that it will complete the roll-out of its innovative Rear View Camera System that will be available on nearly all Ford and Lincoln models by the end of 2011.

“Ford is making new innovations such as the Rear View Camera System available to a wide range of customers in most of our vehicles to help them see better when reversing,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronics systems engineering at Ford. “Our research shows that visibility is one of the biggest customer concerns today, which is why we are the only company to offer a rear view camera system, blind spot mirrors and the radar-based blind spot information system with cross traffic system.”

Ford’s system uses an exterior camera embedded in the rear of the vehicle that sends images to a video display in the rearview mirror or the navigation system screen to help enhance visibility directly behind the vehicle when the driver is in reverse. The rearview mirror system allows customers a choice in systems.

Ford’s Rear View Camera System image is overlaid with lines that mark the width of the vehicle and are shown either on a rear-view mirror display or navigation system screen. The camera’s low light capability, combined with the intensity of the vehicle’s reverse lamps, helps illuminate the image even in dark parking areas.

“We believe Ford’s Rear View Camera System is easiest to use because there are lines to mark the vehicle’s size for easier parking in tight spots,” Buczkowski said.

Ford’s system will be offered on most of its full-size pickups, vans and crossovers – including the new 2011 Ford Explorer – with the added benefit of helping truck owners align and hitch trailers.

“The tendency with trucks is just to talk about the numbers, who has the most towing or the most payload,” said Doug Scott, Ford’s Pickup, SUV, and Commercial Vehicle Marketing Manager. “We lead in both of those areas, but equally important is that we’re making it easier to use that best in class capability. The Rear View Camera System makes hooking up to a trailer so much easier than it’s ever been before, so trucks and SUVs are the ideal vehicles for this feature.”